Coralynn

Closing my locker, I watch Willow walk past, strutting her hips as if there's music playing. On me, it would have looked ridiculous. But on her, it's the total opposite.

Willow is that girl. You know, the girl who makes boys swoon, and the girl who every girl wishes to be. And......then there's me. The red-haired freak who everyone stays away from. The closest person I can call a friend at this school is probably the librarian, who is the only one who understands my fear of technology.....sheesh I got shivers just from saying the word.

The bell rings, and everyone rushes to their class. I look at my schedule: BIOLOGY, MS. ANDERSON

I groan, mumbling about my luck. Ms. Anderson is rumored to be about 86 years old.......you get what i'm talking about.

I walk inside the class, and notice that everyone is already there.

"Nice of you to join us, Coralynn. Can you explain to us why you are late?"

I flush, and nod my head shyly.

"That's what I thought. Now, go to your seat."

I walk to my seat, not daring to look around knowing all eyes are on me. The class begins, and I begin to daydream, not even aware of what's happening in class.

"Coralynn....Coralynn!" Ms. Anderson screams in my ear. I quickly come back to the surface, and see that she is looking at me with ferocious eyes. "Stay after class." She says, with a hardness in her voice. We continue with class, and then she comes in. Besides being 32 minutes late, Ms. Anderson greets Willow with a warm smile.

"Why, hello Willow! You're just in time, we were about to start our experiment! Just make your way to your seat and we can get started."

I wish she could talk to me like that.

The bell rings after a while, and we all get up. "Coralynn. Come here." Damn, I thought she would have forgotten by now.

I walk to her desk, and she watches the student leave, until the very last one closes the door.

"So, we need to talk about your grades. Pull up a chair, if you may." I do as she says, already knowing why she wants to talk about my grades.

"I understand you go through....some issues with technology, but you need to become flexible. You know that almost 70% percent of our work is online. Get over your fears, or you aren't going to pass."

"But-"

"No buts. I'll see you tomorrow."

I walk out of the classroom, feeling nauseous. I go to the bathroom, and overhear....Willow?

"Girl, you're failing? Damn, I have straight A's, and if they fall from that I'm dead at home. Haha, yea."

I feel bad for eavesdropping, but why should I? Miss Little Perfect has everything she could wish for, why should I care.

I wish I was as pretty as her.

I wish I was as liked as her.

I wish my grades were as good as hers.

Once I hear that she's gone, I make my way to the library, which is like my "safe spot." I greet Mrs. Delia, a middle aged woman who is as sweet as honey.

"Hey darlin! I got a book for you, Kathryn Colby, your favorite!

"Thanks Mrs. Delia, put it aside for me! She does, and I look at the humongous library. Ahh, I love this place.

I straight into it, and turn left to my favorite part of the library, the thrillers. I find my book, and make my way to "the lounge" which is basically this little area in the library, that not a lot of people know of. It's pretty limited, me and a few other people. But when I get there, it's....already occupied?

To my surprise, Willow, the girl who is intrigued by Chanel and Louie Vuitton, is sitting...in the library?!?!?

"Are you going to stand their staring at me, or are you gonna come sit down and start reading?" She asks.

"Oh, er, i'm gonna sit."

I sit down and dive into my book until Willow starts talking.

"I know your failing Biology. I heard what Ms. Anderson said."

I was suddenly angry for her eavesdropping, but didn't I eavesdrop on her?

"I wasn't eavesdropping, if that's what you think. I volunteer for a shelter nearby, and was just passing by to see if she wanted to donate anything."

Great, she volunteers too.

"You seem like a nice gal, Coradynn?"

"Coralynn." I say, cracking a small smile.

"So, why are you always alone?"

"Er..I don't think thats up to me. No one else wants to talk to me."

She goes quiet, as if she's thinking about something.

"I pity you, to be honest. I was like you once before. How about this, come over to my house at 5, K?

"Uhm....ok?"

"See you later, Loser." She winks, her blond hair flowing behind her.

Hours after, school ends, but I still have Willow on my mind. What did she want from me? Why did she want me to go to her house? I walk inside my house, greeting my mom and walking to my room. I drop my backpack on the floor, and go to the mirror. I pose, looking at myself deeply.I sigh, giving up. I look at the time again, 3:59 PM.

I go downstairs, and make myself a bowl of cereal.

"How was school, dear?"

"It was good mom, how was work?"

"Fine, boring as always." My mom says, laughing.

"I'm going to a, er, friends house later. Is that ok?"

Her face visually brightens, hearing that.

"Of course! I've been waiting for this ever since I had you, the day you would ask me to go out!"

I wince, but laugh with her. I chat with her for another thirty minutes until I see the time on the antique clock that my aunt Rebecca got us last Christmas.

"Oh shoot, I gotta get going mom! See you later!" I get my backpack, and run out of the door. I'm so curious of what Willow wants me to come over for.

I don't know where she lives, but my mom goes to her mom's club, so I think I have an idea.

I go to what I think is her house, and score! She opens the door, and seems happy to see me.

"Coralynnie! Come in, I was waiting for you." She says, ignoring the sudden nickname she gave me.

She guides me to her room, giving me a chocolate and sea salt granola bar with her.

We sit, and she gets down to business.

"So, before I came to Fillian High, I was just like you. I was like, a nerd, if you know what I mean. Like, no offense, but I was just like how you are now, not appreciated. "

"But, I had this friend, and she recommended me this app. It's an app that basically takes over you and makes you, an "it" girl. Like me, for instance. That app changed my life. Now, I know fashion, how to get good grades, and how to get everyone to like me! You should get it, give me your phone."

I look at her weirdly.

"Uhm, I don't have a phone....and don't seem to be wanting one any time soon. "

She returns the weird look.

"Now I get why people don't hangout with you, no offense! But you don't have a phone?!?"

"Yea. I don't want one either."

"Ok. Well, what about your laptop or ipad?"

"Don't have those either..?" I say sheepishly.

She scoffs.

"Then what the hell do you do in your free time?"

"Er, read?"

She looks at me like i'm crazy.

"Girl, you need some help, and I don't think I'm the one able to help you. Sorry boo!"

It's like her personality flipped in a second. One second ago, she was this innocent girl and the next, a total phony. Oh well, they all go crazy when I tell them that I don't electronics. I know my welcome has now ended, so I get up and leave, not saying another word to her.

Most people think i'm a lunatic when I tell them i'm a telephobe, but they don't understand it. Electronics hypnotize you, make you scared of yourself. You scroll through photos of models and feel bad about yourself. You read dark humor and laugh at the sadness of the joke. I don't want to be like that.

Walking back home, I feel I made the right decision, leaving her house. I'm perfect the way I am, liked or disliked, beautiful or not, eduactionally perfect or not.

I'm Coralynn, the telephobe.